The last police station bar in the country has closed after nearly 60 years.

Peeler's Retreat at Grimsby Police Station has served last orders.

Police chiefs aim to create keep fit facilities and provide more space for the increased number of officers based at the station.

Chief Constable Lee Freeman said a review is underway to look at providing a base, in Grimsby, for the Humberside Police dog section, traffic officers and an armoury.

Cheers! A fond farewell at the Peelers Retreat at Grimsby Police Station with officers past and present having one last drink. Enjoying catching up, from left, David Hilditch, former divisional commander, Superintendent Ed Cook, Chief Superintendent Christine Wilson, and Tony Forbes, former divisional commander.

Former police officers and some serving police officers were reunited to toast the end of “the last bastion.”

Former bar secretary and ex-detective Malcolm Hutchinson told how the name Peeler's Retreat was the one voted on by members following a competition in 1992.

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“The overwhelming support was for Peeler's Retreat. I got signwriter Merv Lloyd to paint a sign above the bar and one on the snooker table lights.

Members of the Grimsby Borough Police Force pictured in 1957 in front of the then new police station in Victoria Street, Grimsby.

“It is a sad occasion after all these years. Our predecessors started it well over 50 years ago. This has been a close community and a nice place to come after work. The old school used to enjoy it. But times move on,” told Malcolm.

The winning name was created by former traffic officer Rex Heath.

Now 73 years, he served for 30 years as an officer and then 15 years as office manager for the crime team, retiring in 2012.

Chief superintendent Christine Wilson, pictured in the Grimsby police station social club, Peelers Retreat, which is to be closed down and the space refurbished for other uses.

He said: “It is a bit sad. It has been a good bar over the years. I captained the snooker team for 20 years and had some good nights.

“They need it now for more space. But I remember well a lot of family events when people had their 18th and 21st birthday parties and the Christmas Draw night and New year’s Eve dance.”

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Former Divisional Commander, David Hilditch, who started his policing career in Cleethorpes in 1982 and retired in 2012 was also there.

Chief Superintendent Christine Wilson, pictured in the Grimsby police station social club, Peeler's Retreat, which is to be closed down and the space refurbished for other uses.

“Having somewhere like this is so much part of the DNA of the job. It was great to finish a shift and come for a pint. There were a lot of social events. if only these walls could speak, they could tell some stories," he said.

“It is the last premises in England and Wales. But that is the way things have gone. I am sad at what is the end of an era,” said the former Divisional Commander.

Chief Superintendent Christine Wilson, said: “It is testament to the great times had at the bar and to the spirit of staff at Grimsby.”

Cheers! A fond farewell at the Peelers Retreat at Grimsby Police Station with officers past and present having one last drink. Former Inspectors, from left, Tom Shaw and Steve Lynn.

Former Inspector Steve Lynn said: “They were marvellous days.”

Fellow former custody sergeant, Tom Shaw, who later became an inspector, said: “I had my retirement do here in 2011 after 30 years and five days in the Force.